Former Prince George’s County Council member Jamel “Mel” Franklin has been charged in a felony theft scheme in which authorities say he embezzled at least $130,000 of his campaign funds to pay for personal expenses, including rent, loans and cosmetic procedures for himself and a close friend.
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June 25, 2024Franklin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The charges come less than a week after Franklin abruptly resigned his seat as an at-large member of the council, a body he served on for nearly 14 years, including as chair from 2013 to 2015. During his time in office, Franklin wrote more than 100 pieces of legislation that were adopted or enacted into law, in a range of areas including development and public safety.
He had a reputation as an advocate of fiscal prudence.
Derrick Leon Davis, a former council member who served two years as vice chair under Franklin, said in an interview after Thursday’s charges that he was at a “loss for words.”
“I am heartbroken,” Davis said.
